Category: Thoracic Surgery
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Surgical Open Pneumothorax
In thoracic surgery, an open pneumothorax occurs with incision into the thoracic cage on a patient in the lateral decubitus position [1]. The negative pleural pressure that normally keeps the lung inflated is lost, resulting in the lung on the surgical side to collapse by means of its intrinsic elastic recoil [1]. This may be…
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Lateral Decubitus Position
The Lateral Decubitus position is a side-lying position that provides the greatest surgical access to the thoracic organs, mediastinal contents, retroperitoneum, vertebrae, hips [1][2]. Despite optimal surgical exposure for these anatomical regions, there are a number of physiological disadvantages of the position as well as the potential for peri-operative iatrogenic injuries [1]. These physiological/respiratory changes…